By Tim Kenneally LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) – Brace yourselves, “True Blood” fans; the end is near. HBO Programming president Michael Lombardo said on Tuesday that the vampire drama will end its run next year following its seventh season, which will launch next summer. In a statement, Lombardo called “True Blood” — which saw the departure of showrunner Alan Ball prior to its sixth season — “nothing short of a defining show for HBO.” “‘True Blood’ has been nothing short of a defining show for HBO,” Lombardo said. …

By Tim Kenneally LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) – Brace yourselves, “True Blood” fans; the end is near. HBO Programming president Michael Lombardo said on Tuesday that the vampire drama will end its run next year following its seventh season, which will launch next summer. In a statement, Lombardo called “True Blood” — which saw the departure of showrunner Alan Ball prior to its sixth season — “nothing short of a defining show for HBO.” “‘True Blood’ has been nothing short of a defining show for HBO,” Lombardo said. …